Constructing Spin Density Vector Twists With Spin Density Singularity

Abstract

In this article, we propose a non-orbital angular momentum (OAM) method for constructing the spiral twists of spin density (SD) vectors in three-dimensional (3D) optical fields. This is realized by generating strings of SD singularities in a longitudinal plane of a strongly focused HG10 mode beam with circular polarization. We demonstrate that in this plane, the SD singularities manifest themselves as the Gouy phase difference. Through observing the Gouy phase difference, the strings of the SD singularities and their topological reactions are examined. It is found that the spiral twists of SD vectors are constructed in the two-dimensional (2D) space between two strings and their twisting behaviors can be adjusted by the topological reactions of the strings. This finding shows that the spiral twists can be formed in a 2D space rather than the 1D space in previous studies, which provides a more flexible way to utilize this rotational degree of freedom. Our result also clarifies that although the spiral twists of SD vectors can be a result of spin-orbital angular momentum interaction, the OAM is not a necessary condition for the generation of these twists. Our theoretical proposal for structuring SD vectors may have applications in 3D optical manipulation.

Keywords

• Spin density
• optical singularity
• orbital angular momentum
• spin angular momentum
• Gouy phase